Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-09-17
As TO OFFENsIYENESS.

As TO OFFENSIyESESS.
Let Ms examine into offensive partisan
ship a little. The Brooklyn Eagle refers
to the fact that the New York Times gives
the names of NO less than fourteen inCum-
bents of Federal offices in Pennsylvania
who were present 1T the meeting OF the
Democratic State Convention" and says
the New York ErcHing Post, treats this
numerous attendance Of officials, who, it
thinks, should have been at their posts of
duty dispatchiDg the business Of the Gov
eminent, in 4 vein that leaves no room to
doubt its extreme regret and disple1sure."
The idea seems to be that these Democratic
officials disoJeyed the Presidents letter Of
instructions relating To such matters, and
that, by attending the Democratic con-
yentiou, they became Offensive paTtI-
sans" according to the Civil Service men.
The EagRs refers 10 the Presidents letter
and confesses that ii does not Compre-
bend itS meaning, and thinks that It has
left the exact line OF the Federal EN-
ploye's duty exceedingly vague" Can a
Federal employe attend q Democratic con-
yention for any purpose whatever Can
he advise, consult, council with anybody
at a convention? Can he attend IS mere
lOoker-on?" The Eagle proceeds to en-
quire: "Would it, for instance, be right Tor
q Federal emplOye to invite his friends TO
a political conference at his Own house:
Would 1t be proper for him, if his advice
and counsel were asked, to give them?
Could he, under any circumstances, pub
Iicly make known his preference for a GER
tain candidate or policy" The Eagle could,
we think, with great prOpriety, have ex-
tended the list ofinterTOgatOries. 1t could
have asked, does a citizen who accepts a posi-
ton rs federal emplOye, y sbro2Gte any
right of a citizen? IS it becoming, Ii it
in eonsonance with the genius Of American
institutions, to require an American clti-
zen in taking any civil position whatever,
to disrObe himself Of any prerogatiye Of
citizenship? 1t is proper 10 ask Of any ap-
plicant for employment in the service OF
his Government, any questions, other than,
'Is he honest, is he capable, is he loyal to
the constitutions" In 3 Government Of
the people, by the people, for the people,
there will he political parties, different
politics different measures. Who, by any
constitution or law is placed above the
sovereign citizens? Who has a right 10
say, when an American wants TO attend q
convention, he shall not, or, when he wants
to speak, be shall remain SILENT Free
speech and a free press are the croWning
glories of American liberty. Has it come
to this, that for position, Tor bread and
butter. for Government employment, any
citizen, we care not how humble he may
be, shall be required to surrender any
right of citizenship, any privilege, any
~prerogatiye? The time has arrived"
says the Eagis, when Dir. CLEVELAND can
afford 10 state more specifically his views,
to lay down more explicitly in detail the
rules (which he desires 20 have observed
and use the numerous alleged violations
Of his orders for the purpose OF illustrating
his meaning aud making palmer the path
in which Federal IficeholdCrs are TO
tread." We think the tine has arrived
for Mr.. CLEVELAND 10 say that he has
no desire 30 deprive dUy citizen, though
he may work tor the Federal gov
eminent, OF any right he may claim
under the constitution. To tslk politics"
is the birth right OF American citizens.
Politics is the science OF government, and
he who takes no interest in politics takes
no interest in government The people
should understand politics, and the EN-
ploye of the government, II an American
citizen, should be quite as familiar with
politics As those who are more highly
favored. The presidents of the United
States nave always talked politics, their
cabinet officials have talked politics, and
in such matters the humslsst employe has
ali the rights of the highest diSnitary
known to the constitution or the statute.
If it be not so, some one ought to be able
90 point put where the constitution fixes
the boundaries. 1t is worse than insulting
to say that in England, Russia, China or
some other k~ing-cursed land employees of
the government dent talk about the gov
ernment. Quite probable. But they are
not American citizens. They are not SOW
ereign. They cannot make and unmake
rulers. Here such responsibilities are
placed upon the people, and by divine
right the people may attend conventions,
talk politics and do all other things be-
coming free men, and if the choice be
forced upon them to surrender Government
employment or their sovereign rights as
citizens, the choice should be made with
ont hesitation, and in sueh 3 way as would
require the Government to find employees
willing 70 wear eollars.
a Model Choir.
Norylxle,sR Herald.